The players who could pass the selection to participate in the mixed-team competition were no pushovers.
The other party's actions must have been carefully considered.
But everyone still intended to play it safe; the hoodie-wearing young man's approach was too risky for them.
Only the blue-eyed young man's eyes flickered, a flash of contemplation passing through them.
"Alright, then follow me." The slovenly man led the players away into the distance.
Xu Xi watched their retreating figures, then turned back to look at the ship moored at the shore.
The only way to enter or leave this island was by boat, and the production team had only prepared one ship.
Although it wasn't yet clear what exactly was going on in this instance, was it possible... that the final way to clear it was to board this ship and leave this cursed island?
Isn't that how it always plays out in horror movies?
Xu Xi glanced at the box filled with white bones and the unfinished blessing sigil drawn on it, then turned and walked towards the ship without a shred of hesitation.
No surprise, the bones in that box were likely the remains of some of the past victims.
An island burying the bones of tens of thousands of massacred civilians... this instance might very well be a battle royale.
Only a fool would stay here waiting to die.
Since the slovenly man couldn't send him back early, he would just drive the ship back himself.
Along the way, the staff members were all busy setting up temporary shelters, so no one paid attention to the movements of this contestant who had voluntarily withdrawn.
After all, who would think someone would secretly steal the ship?
Successfully reaching the pilot house, Xu Xi studied it carefully and finally found the automatic mode option in the driving mode selection.
Thus, the staff diligently organizing supplies on the shore only had to glance unconsciously to see their production team's ship inexplicably sailing away.
"???"
——
"...Everyone, come over and change into the prison uniforms."
A familiar voice sounded in his ears. Xu Xi silently looked up.
Well, he had thought too much. Shortcuts were never that easy to come by, after all.
The ship had only sailed for about ten minutes when a hazy fog enveloped it, followed by a loss of consciousness.
Was leaving early not allowed? Did one need to reach a certain point in time to leave? Or was the method of clearing the instance by sailing away simply wrong?
No matter what, it seemed he was destined to play the fool this time. Sigh.
But there was another issue.
Xu Xi suddenly realized that his reload time point was not after he requested to withdraw from the competition.
So did this prove that if he wanted to survive, he could only choose to participate?
Xu Xi pondered for a moment, then slowly raised his hand: "I request to withdraw from the competition."
No, his rebellious streak was kicking in. He absolutely had to try and see what would actually happen after withdrawing.
——
【? What did I just hear? What is this Hua Nation player doing? (ip Kimchi Nation)】
【Th-this... you can just withdraw? And the director actually agreed? (ip Hans Nation)】
【There's no way clearing it could be that easy. This Hua Nation player's choice is unwise. (ip Prettyland)】
【But those challenges sound anything but simple. The Hua Nation player choosing to withdraw directly avoids all the danger. I think it might be a valid way to clear the instance. (ip Kangaroo Nation)】
【Not necessarily. Those production team staff are NPCs, but the instance never stipulated that NPCs can't die. (ip Bear Nation)】
Unlike the foreign netizens' confusion or skepticism, the live stream comments from Hua Nation were much more relaxed.
【Whenever I don't understand Master Xu Xi's moves, I just need to doubt my own intelligence. (ip Hua Nation)】
【Master Xu Xi always appears so calm. Oh, this damn cheat-like sense of security. (ip Hua Nation)】
【Tsk tsk, these foreigners still know too little about Master Xu Xi. (ip Hua Nation)】
【By the way, could this instance be about vengeful spirits killing people? Tens of thousands of victims... the resentment must be immense. (ip Hua Nation)】
【Don't say it, but it really could be. I think Master Xu Xi's decision is quite right. Only an idiot would willingly walk in to seek death. (ip Hua Nation)】
——
At the production team.
Jiang Jin looked at the large screen in surprise: "Contestant Xu Xi has made a choice that surprises everyone."
"Voluntarily withdrawing from the competition... a method never conceived before," Yao Han also said. "Is Contestant Xu Xi planning to avoid those challenges?"
Luo Zongyun stroked his chin: "The contestants from other nations are probably watching and waiting. If this method really works, I imagine many players will subsequently 'fearfully' choose to withdraw from the competition."
Lin Miao shook his head: "Instances generally don't have such loopholes for players to exploit. Even if all players withdrew, there would definitely be some other unforeseen event forcing them to continue. So..."
She glanced meaningfully at the hoodie-wearing young man representing Hua Nation on the screen and stated with certainty: "Xu Xi definitely has another plan."
